A PROMISE TO MARY, ELIZABETH and their HUSBANDS - Part 2

 

As we read in the last BLOG, Mary and Elizabeth, and their husbands, Joseph and Zechariah, were chosen as SPECIAL PARENTS and they were given a promise from God, through the angel Gabriel, that their sons would be a "joy and delight" to them, and many people would rejoice because of their births. We too can take hold of these promises, and accept the wonderful joy and peace that comes from knowing our Saviour and Friend. 

"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation, to all who fear Him." Luke 1:46-50  (NLT)

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people. He has sent us a Mighty Saviour from the royal line of his servant David......And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins." Luke 1:65-69, 76&77  (NLT)

1. MARY VISITS ELIZABETH (Luke 1:39-56)

Mary and Elizabeth were both "highly favoured by God". Both were faithful Jewish women, both filled with the Holy Spirit. 

When Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, baby John, "inside her womb, leapt for joy".  

"Blessed are you among women, blessed is the child you will bear. I am favoured that the mother of the Lord should come to me." Luke 1:42-43 (MSG)

Mary and Elizabeth were both blessed, for they believed that JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD, and  indeed their SAVIOUR and MESSIAH. This is what the angel had given them as God's promises. 

"Lord, how my soul praises You. How my Spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour....for the Mighty One is holy and He has done great things for me." Luke 1:46&48 (NLT)

These faithful, beautiful women were trusting in their Father God. They both "treasured God's promises" in their hearts. 

"Thank you Lord for MARY and ELIZABETH, and their extraordinary faith. They believed everything was possible. Lord, we too want to trust in our Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. We want to have FAVOUR with you, and YOUR SPIRIT in us " Nicky Gumbel.

"For with God, nothing will be impossible" Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for 3 months, probably till John's birth, then she returned home to Joseph, to prepare for the birth of her own  son, JESUS.

2 . THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

The birth of Elizabeth's and Zechariah's baby John was a great "celebration". The community shared their "expectation and joy". Their baby boy was a great blessing to the elderly couple. The name John meant: "The Lord is a GRACIOUS GIVER". But many people - their friends and family - still, wondered by they chose the name John.

"When the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to her son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown them great MERCY and they shared her JOY."                                                                                                        Luke 1:57-58 (NIV)

On the 8th day, when the baby boy was to  be circumcised, they thought they would name him after his father Zechariah, but Mary spoke up: "No, he will be called John." Zechariah's  mouth was then opened, and he started speaking, confirming what Elizabeth had said.

"His Father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them.....And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, and you will go on and prepare the way for Him, to give the people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins". Luke 1:67&68, 76&77 (NIV)

"And the child grew and became strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel." Luke 1:80 (NIV)

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

"The Message - The Bible in Contemporary Language", 2018, Eugene H Peterson, Tyndale House Publishers

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson

Gumbel, Nicky, "The Bible - Classic Version - Luke 1", 2025, Alpha/New Version